Chosen makes long select boxes usable
Summary
Harvest releases Chosen, which extends ordinary HTML select boxes with search, multiple selection and a more compact presentation. Progressive enhancement keeps a simple semantic basis under a richer interface. A small UI tool becomes infrastructure as soon as many applications adopt its assumptions about interaction.
Ideas
- The component builds on existing select elements instead of a proprietary data model.
- Instant search shortens navigation in long lists of options.
- Multiple values appear as individually removable elements within the same field.
Recommendations
- Check keyboard operation, screen readers and mobile display before use.
- Keep using the same server-side validation as for a normal select field.
References
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